Melbourne and Surrounds Info
Set picturesquely on the shores of the Yarra River, Melbourne is truly one of the gems of Victoria. This is a city that has it all. Between a thriving and cosmopolitan nightlife scene, great sport, beautiful gradens and an active festival schedule, visitors to this wonderful city are sure to find something to suit their fancy.
Melbourne is the epitome of a planned city: a balanced grid of streets and avenues designed for easy navigation. Of course, this is just the surface, and there’s a great deal that lies beneath. Melbourne is positively buzzing with a hodgepodge of artists, musicians, and young professionals flitting from cafe to cafe, restaurant to restaurant, and nightclub to nightclub.
Unique to other Australian cities, Melbourne shows the influence of years of immigration from places across the globe. This has had particularly powerful impact on the city’s cuisine. There’s virtually no limit to the variety of food you’ll encounter, including Indian, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish selections. You’ll also want to pair one of Melbourne’s excellent wines with which dish you choose.
All of this international influence has served to create a city of true style and sophistication. This is directly reflected in the establishments that line Melbourne’s main drags.
You should expect nothing less from Melbourne’s shopping. Each of the major international brands finds a home in Melbourne’s shopping districts. You’ll lose yourself for hours wandering through the city’s miles and miles of arcades and laneways, each with something unique to offer visitors.
The Central Business District defies easy categorization-instead, each little nook and cranny deserves its own exploration. While some take up only a width of 10 or 15 feet, others spread over an entire suburb. You’ll likely spend entire afternoons wandering through sections like the Greek Quarter (centered on Lonsdale Street), the Italian District, and Chinatown.
If you prefer to spend more time exploring Melbourne’s native culture, you’ll find a range of options, including constant film and food festivals, as well as any number of art galleries and theatres.